Congratulations, bride-to-be! You said yes to the person of your dreams and now it’s time to find your other perfect match—your dream bridal gown! Out of all your exciting wedding day plans, we think dress shopping takes the cake. That’s why we’re providing you with everything you need to prepare for your first appointment!

1. An early start.

First things first, even though it’s the best—you don’t want to save this task for last. Once you decide on a gown, you’ll need nine to twelve months to have it wedding day-ready. If you put off dress shopping for too long, you may limit your dress options drastically. Alterations alone can take up to eight weeks! So if you’re a picky shopper or are requiring a custom gown, that’s even more time you may need to allow.

So the first thing you want to do is shop and research—because the last thing you want to do is make a dress decision you’re not 100% happy with! Start today by looking at our bridal gowns or starting a Pinterest Board. 

2. A budget.

One of the worst things you can do is fall head over heels with a dress that’s out of your price range—especially when taking into account accessories, undergarments, alterations, etc. That’s why it’s so important to trust your consultant with your budget! They’ll be sure to help you pick gowns that allow you the freedom to fall in love.

At Honey Fawn Boutique, our traditional bridal gowns start at $1,800 and can range up to $4,500. The average of our gowns sits around $2,500-3,000, which we believe is a great budget to begin with. 

You can read about our payment options here. 

3. A present-day mindset.

If you’re planning to lose a considerable amount of weight for the wedding, don’t buy a “goal dress” that it is a couple of sizes smaller than you are at the appointment. Dresses can ALWAYS be taken in before the wedding, even in a pinch—which is much easier than risking your dress being too small on the day of the wedding. Shop for the bride you are today!

4. A small(er) entourage.

Sorry, bestie’s sister’s neighbor’s aunt—you may have to sit this one out (we’re looking at you too, fiancés). Too many opinions in the bride’s posse can mean too many people to please, which can make the bride lose sight of herself and what she wants!

At Honey Fawn, we recommend a total of 3 guests to bring with you. It's the perfect amount of opinions, and they fit perfectly on the couch!

If there's someone missing from your entourage you can always show them the photos, or bring them back for a follow up appointment even if you're already said YES to the dress. We love doing this at the bridesmaid dress consultations! 

5. Accessories/undergarments.

Sometimes, it’s the little things. Coming prepared with desired accessories and proper nude undergarments can take a dress that’s a “maybe” to a dress that’s a “yes.”

And don't worry about bras - traditional bridal gowns all have cups and wiring so you don't need to wear a bra underneath. 

6. Inspiration.

Pictures, pictures, pictures! It is always helpful to have a general idea of what you want, and it helps the consultant pick out similar styles that will fit you and your budget.

Screenshots or a Pinterest Board work great. 

7. (And an open mind.)

Between the world wide web and social media, you can discover an endless array of different styles and trends that look PERFECT in every photograph. While these can be handy tools to get inspired, it’s important to not get overwhelmed in the process—what’s perfect on Pinterest may not be perfect for your wedding.

Narrow your inspiration down to a few favourites, and let your consultant take care of the rest. From there they can make suggestions based on your fave styles—but can also make suggestions as to what works best for your wedding theme, your body type and alterations. You’d be surprised at how many brides have fallen in love with a gown they never expected!

You may also be surprised by the experience, and find the dress when you least expect it. If you're planning to attend your first appointment just to see what the "styles are like", still keep an open mind that you might still find THE dress. And it's totally okay if you do. 

8. Don't make the day too busy!

The process can be overwhelming and emotional. There's so many options, and it's a really significant decision to make. We recommend only booking one appointment for the day. This reduces the confusion and any feeling of obligation to see "what else there is" or to commit to an appointment. You'll be surprised by the number of brides who find THE dress first go!

We hope these few tips have helped you prepare for your upcoming appointment. We can't wait to find YOUR dress!

If you have any further questions, visit our FAQs page or give us a call 0482 782 829